The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-11-28
LOUISIANA LEPROSY.
How They Treat the Victims In the Acadian
Colony by the Mississippi.

How They Treat the Victims In the Acadian
Colony by the Mississippi.
New Orleans Special in Philadelphia Press.
The discovery of two lepers in Philadelphia
and the excitement which this event seems to
have caused, a modified reproduction OF a
far more serious affair, which, indeed. reached
the dignity OF panic in southwestern
LOUISIANA town this summer. 1t is
torious fact that leprosy has existed and
exists to day in southern Louisiana. but with
rare exceptions, lt is confined to certain well
defined localities. where the lepers live to them
selves in colonies, holding no intercourse with
their neiehbors and separated wholly from the
world. The two principal leper colonies
the lower end of Bayou La Fourche and a
prairie in Vermillion parish. The La Fourche
lepers are the most numerous. They live
IN swampy country. out Of all
lines of travel and, indeed, not easily reached.
They quiet, we'll behaved people, inter
marrying with each other and thus perpetuating
the fearful heritage to their children The State
Board OF Health has made several attempts to
investigate them, but they so fearful of be-
ing arrested and taken up that they fed to the
swamps when the officers visited them.
The existence of leprosv in the La Fourche
district is we'll known but tho fact that the
lepers held intercourse with those in good
health, caused little alarm their account.
Early this summer, however. reports became
current that leprosy existed in the town of St
Martlasvlile the principal town of that section.
St Martinsville is known as the Acadian
Paris. It is town of ?, 500 people. beautifully
situated on the banks of the Teche and of
the oldest settlements in the State. It is the
seat OF LonSIeliOWS poem OF 'E7angel1no," has
a population mainly of Acadian origin. with
old fashioned houses, streets lined with orange
trees and with the civilization of France a CEN
fury ago. 1t lies at the head of navigation on
the Teche. and since a railroad has beer built
there. has become important trade centre.
and does large business with the surrounding
country.
The rumor of leprosy was first heard this
summer. The story gathered strength as it
travelled, and within couple or weeks had
reached terrifying proportions. 1t was declared
through all the surrounding country that there
were from 600 to LOCO lepers in St. Martins
vile. The town was Stunned as though it
plague-stricken. The people of the country
refused to venture within it's limits; its business
died away, and a line was drawn
around the town into which but few
ventured. Every one suspected his peighbor of
leprosy. kissing and handshaking went out of
practice. and the BARRIERS had nothing to do be-
cause no one was brave enough to be shaved by
a razor which might have been used previously
on leper. Two or three families who suffered
from bolls became pariahs, every one refused
to have any relations with them.
This condition of affairs, which continued for
a few weeks, became finally intolerable, and the
citizens of ST Martinsville requested the State
Board of Health to send committee to the
town and investigate the alleged prevalence of
leprosy there, as to relieve the town of the
panicky feeling. The president of the board
himself went. and an investigation WAS begun.
the like of which has never before been
seen. Every person in the town who
much as a pimple on his face or hands
was examined. The investigation showed that
the leprosy story had this much foundation.
that there were four persons two women and
two children. undoubtedly affected with this
loathsome and disgusting disease and two 9TH
who appeared to have it, but of whom it
could not be fully determined The lepers were
removed and isolated, and the panic disap-
peared as rapidly it had originated. The
town of ST. Martinsvlle is free of the
disease and doing its usual very good business.